BREAKING: A tragic shooting at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, has left at least two people dead and eight others hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The incident unfolded on Saturday, and as of 7 p.m. ET, the shooter remains at large, with no suspects in custody.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee expressed his sorrow, stating, “The unthinkable has happened.” Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed the grim details, urging the community to stay vigilant. The university first alerted students to an active shooter situation at 4:22 p.m., advising them to “lock doors, silence phones, and stay hidden until further notice.”
As the situation escalated, the university issued a subsequent update at 5:11 p.m., reinforcing the shelter-in-place order. “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s),” the statement emphasized. The shelter-in-place remains in effect as authorities continue their investigation.
Deputy Chief of Providence Police Tim O’Hara reported that the suspect is described as a male dressed in black. Law enforcement has focused their search on the Barus & Holley Engineering building, where the shooting was first reported, but the gunman has yet to be located. This building was also the site of multiple exams for students, adding to the urgency of the situation.
In a statement, the university confirmed, “We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of two deceased victims from the active shooting situation at the Barus & Holley engineering building. There are eight additional victims in critical but stable condition at the hospital.”
The FBI is assisting local authorities, stating they are providing “any and all available resources.” Earlier, former President Donald Trump posted on social media, expressing his condolences and mistakenly noting that a suspect was in custody, a claim later refuted by Brown University Police.
The university community is encouraged to remain safe and follow law enforcement instructions. “We know there is a lot of fear and concern and uncertainty in the community right now,” officials stated, appealing for anyone who was in the Barus & Holley building during the incident to contact the police.
As this developing story unfolds, more updates are expected. Stay tuned for live coverage as authorities work to resolve this situation and ensure the safety of students and staff.
